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Pill Pusher Popped Again!

PHILLIPS.JOYCEEAST COUNTY — A woman who was operating an illegal unlicensed pill mill from her home off of Old Houston Road between SH 242 and FM 1314 is behind bars again and this time, she will not be returning to her home office.

Joyce Lafaye Phillips, 64, is now charged with two counts of state jail felony Manufacture / Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver. As of this writing she is held without bond.

With a lengthy criminal history, Phillips is no stranger to a jail cell. At the time of her latest arrest, Phillips was already free on bond from a raid of her residence at 17310 Payne Road on the night of October 20, when members of the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office TAC Team wrapped up an investigation with a search warrant and found inside large quantities of Hydrocodone, Soma, Xanax, Diazepam and prescription strength Ibuprofen. They also found a handgun, which was illegal in her possession because she was released from prison less than five years early.

The October raid left Phillips charged with second-degree felony Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (Hydrocodone); third-degree felony Possession of Firearm by Felon; state jail felony Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (Xanax); state jail felony Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Hydrocodone); two counts misdemeanor Possession of a Dangerous Drug (Soma, Ibuprofen); and misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance (Valium).

Phillips was released on bond two days later. Even with charges pending, it was not long before information began to trickle back to the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office that Phillips was again open for business. An investigation was launched and operatives confirmed the rumors.

One afternoon in late April, members of the Pct. 4 TAC Team returned to the Phillips residence with warrants and the assistance of members of District Attorney Brett Ligon’s Office. However, Joyce Phillips was not at home. Apparently she was tipped off, because Phillips never returned to the residence. The property was searched, vehicles were towed and signs were posted announcing the property was about to be claimed through the “asset forfeiture” process which allows law enforcement agencies to seize and use or sell property, vehicles and other items used to commit crimes, or purchased with the proceeds from crimes.

There was no sign of Phillips for days, until a tip came in that she was in Onalaska. Wednesday night, Pct. 4 TAC Team members went to 300 West Lone Oak Lane in Onalaska and paid a surprise visit, taking Phillips into custody on the latest warrants without incident.

Pct. 4 Constable Kenneth “Rowdy” Hayden said he was glad to see Phillips behind bars again and hopes the courts will keep her there.

“She’s demonstrated over and over that her fear of going back to prison isn’t enough to keep her from dealing drugs to anyone with money to buy them,” Hayden said. “She may look like someone’s grandmother, but she’s a drug dealer. She’s just like the young guys meeting their customers in parking lots and on back roads, but she deals from her home.”

“With Joyce Phillips in jail, there are less drugs on the streets of East County, and as a resident and a father, I’m very glad for that.”

On October 20 around 10 p.m., members of the Pct. 4 Constable’s Office TAC Team went to a residence at 17310 Payne Road, off of Old Houston Road to execute a search warrant based on confirmation of narcotics sales at that location. TAC Team members knocked and announced themselves, but despite hearing movement inside, no one answered the door. Deputies made forcible entry and found Joyce Phillips and Phillip Lewis inside. Both were Mirandized and taken into custody.

A search of the residence revealed multiple bottles of prescription narcotics in Phillips’ possession that were not prescribed to her. The medications included Hydrocodone, Soma, Xanax, Diazepam and prescription strength Ibuprofen. Deputies also found a handgun in Phillips’ closet, which is illegal because she is a convicted felon released from prison within the last five years.

Additional prescription medication was found in a vehicle on the property registered to Lewis. The prescription was not in his name. Lewis claimed ownership of two other firearms and more prescription medication found in a shed on the property.

Both were arrested and booked into the Montgomery County Jail in Conroe.

Pct. 4 Constable Kenneth “Rowdy” Hayden said it was gratifying to see Phillips in handcuffs. Hayden previously received information regarding Phillips’ illegal activities and recently gave her a verbal warning.

“I told Ms. Phillips I knew she was selling drugs and if she didn’t stop we’d stop her,” Hayden said. “Obviously, she didn’t listen.”

“I promised the tax payers we’d clean up East Montgomery County and I promised the drug dealers we’d shut them down,” he said. “We’re dedicated to doing both and I feel good about the progress we’re making.”

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